Follow me through Central refrigeration training 2.

You will still go through orientation and out with a trainer. They may make you go through the school also. I had 2 guys with there CDL in class. They went through everything I did. The only thing they didn't have to do was go to DMV and take the written test, they took a test with the instructor while the rest off us where gone at DMV.

 

Today we took a DOT test open book. Then went to DMV and traded in your permit for your class A CDL. Your hard copy will be mailed to your home. Your new Utah license is only valid for 60 days. You will need to return to your home state after you upgrade into your own truck. Once back home you will need to get that hard copy that was mailed to you and head to your local DMV and pay for your states CDL. Some states will require written tests and drive tests. Each state is different. Orientation started after this. We had the rules of being on truck with trainer explained. Confirmed our info with the trainer in regards to what type of trainer. Ex. Smoking or non, male or female if your a female.

 

Today was another long day of orientation. We watched videos. 1 video was on drug and alcohol testing, and the other was about hazmat and bill of lading. We then talked with the manager of drive managers, lease owner/operator came in talked with us. Last was payroll. We got a packet about benefits. Tomorrow is more orientation and we find out who our trainers are and how far out they are. Hopefully we will be on the road by Friday.

 

Today was last day of orientation. We watched some more videos, field trip over to the mechanics shops to discuss OTR maintenance. After that we came back in and did some log book stuff and got our fuel cards. My trainer called me at noon, I met up with him and he showed me around the terminal. Then took me out to see his truck. It's a freightliner Cascadia.

 

Something to mention to all the new guys, bring more then $200-300 dollars for food. Lunch special cost $5.50 figure about $15-20 per day if you eat at the cafeteria. The cafeteria in the SLC terminal is open from 6am to 5pm Monday-thursday, and Friday its open 6am tip 2pm. Closed on weekends. Your here for 2.5-3 weeks with no income. Once complete with orientation you get $100 dollars put on your comdata card. Your first paycheck won't be for 2 weeks. Always a week behind. Target and Walmart are within walking distance. Buy groceries or snacks. Will help cut costs.

 

One more thing if you have the money to purchase a plane ticket do so. Central will reimburse you up to the amount of a greyhound ticket from your home area to the airport. Greyhound sucks and will be a super long ride for some of you. One guy flew from Indiana to SLC. It cost him $250 upfront, central will reimburse him $210 thats what the bus would have cost. He will have paid $40 for the comfort and quickness of a flight vs. the bus. Remember you don't get refunded until your first paycheck. If you fail anything prior to getting on truck I think you don't get refunded. Check with recruiter and have it in writing.